Internal combustion engine starter mechanism



H. N. WILL April 4, 1933.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1931 4Sheets-Sheet l Inventor A Ilorney mm z 1 q 3 Q W 9. 1 w H 3 3 MW Q \X. NN kQ MN m mm E W QWR mm m y Q Q AR RQ V xk H. N. WILL April 4, 1933.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 16, 1951 .u- Q A IIII- WW I w Inventor H. N. Will Attorney .WTMPRA ril 4, 1933. H. N. w; 1,903,360

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM Filed March 16, 19314Sheets-Sheet s O O O .nlH Mg 0 I Q i 4 4 v V J I nbenior H. N. WILLApril 4, 1933.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTER MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1931 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Inuenlur H. /V. Wz Z Z flilorney m ARM Patented Apr. 4,1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTERMECHANISM Application filed March 16, 1931.

This invention relates generally to internal combustion engine startermechanisms, and particularly to a single control means whereby theignition switch, the throttle, the starter switch, the carburetor choke,and the advance or retard of the distributor may be properly actuatedand controlled in a single manipulation of the control means forstarting the engine, the mechanism being manum ally operated andprovided with means whereby to lock the same against unauthorizedmanipulation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a coordination mechanism ofthe type described which will reduce the number of operations ordinarilynecessary in starting an 1nternal combustion engine, by coordinating allof the operations ordinarily necessary in starting the engine so thatthey are operated practically simultaneously'by a single manipulation,thereby leaving free the feet of the operator of an automobile foroperation of the brakes and other controls.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a coordinationmechanism of the type described through the use of whlch gasoline aswell as electric storage battery energyconsumption will be reduced, andcrank case dilution due to excessive use of the choke will beeliminated.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mechanism of thetype described which will materially reduce the time required instarting an internal combustion engine, by providing in a single controlmanipulable with one hand all of the elements necessary in starting anengine and reduce the number of starting controls which usually appearon the instrument panel and other parts of the driving compartment of anautomobile.

It is also an object of this invention to pro-v vide a simple, practicalas well as durable and efficient mechanism of the type described, whichis readily adaptable-to all conditions surrounding the use and operationof internal combustion engines, and which is particu-' larly adapted tobe installed in an automobile, and mounted on the instrument panel in adecorative and convenient manner, and

Serial No. 523,086.

which is, in addition, cheap to manufacture and very easy to install andoperate.

It is also an object of this invention to so construct the mechanism ofthe type described as to provide that it shall be proof against rewiringthrough the provision of a casing enclosing the moving parts thereof,and locked against unauthorized manipulation by locking means providedin the operating handle.

These and other objects of the invention, its nature and its compositionand arrangement and combination of parts will be readily understood byany one acquainted with the art to which this invention relates uponconsulting the following description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general top plan view of my improved starter mechanism.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section 7 taken through the lowerpart of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical'cross sectional view taken on the line33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are transverse vertical cross sectional views takenthrough Figure 1 approximately on the lines 44, 55, and 66 of Figure 1and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical cross sec- 30 tional view takenapproximately on the line 77 of Figure 1, and looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 8 is a detailed enlarged cross sectional view transverselythrough the main operating mechanism and taken approximately on the line8-8 of Figure 2 and look ing in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a general view showing the application of the device of theinvention to an internal combustion engine.

Figure 10 is a sectional view through one of the control rod structuresshowing the means for locking the rod in adjusted positions.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view through Figure 10 showing theslotted end of the locking sleeve.

Referring in detail to the drawings the numeral .5 designates generallythe instru- 100 ment panel to the forward side of which is bolted in asuitable manner a mounting plate 6 which registers with a hole 7 made inthe mounting plate 5. Secured to the instrument panel 5 by the samebolts or the like 8 which secure the mounting plate 6 to the instrumentpanel is a rectangular casing 9 extending horizontally and forwardlyfrom the instrument panel and having a closed bottom. 'If desired thecasing may be a closed box having only a rear end opening provided witha laterally projecting flange through which the attaching means 8 areprojected.

Forwardly extending from the mounting plate 6 near the lower edgethereof is a horizontal base plate 10 secured in any suitable manner.Parallelly spaced above the base plate 10 and likewise secured to themounting plate 6 is a rectangular frame 11. A vertical portion 12 on thefront end of the horizontal base plate 10 has attached thereto the frontend of the rectangular frame 11. The rearward member of the frame 11 maybe split as at 13 to accommodate a certain part to be described. On theinside of the portion 12 and projecting beyond the side edges thereof soas to form projections 14 and 15, is a plate 16 which is provided with akey hole formation 17 for a purpose to be described.

Registering with the key hole formation 17 is a hole 18 in the verticalportion 12. Suspended across and between the side members of the frame11 intermediate the ends thereof is a dielectric plate 19 on which theignition switch lever 20 is pivoted as indicated at 21. The switch'lever20 carries a suitable contact 22 for engagement with stationary contact26,

and is operated closed by a spring 22a and attached to a dielectric bar23 extending from the end of the switch lever 20. For moving the contact22 away from the stationary contact 26 the dielectric portion lever 23of the lever 20 is engaged by a lever 24 to be described. The stationarycontact member 26 is adjustable for varying the gap between the movablecontact and the stationary contact, and both the switch arm 20 and thestationary contact structure 26 are connected to binding posts 27 towhich the ignition wires ,28 are led through the side member of theframe 11 and through a suitable opening in the side of the casing 9.

As seen in Figure 1, the sides of the mount, ing plate 6 extend beyondthe sides of the frame 11 and therein locking tubes 29 and 30 are passedthrough suitable openings therein and secured by suitable means 31 and32. A spark control knob 33 is secured to the rear end of a square orother shaped spark control rod 34. On the forward end of the spark rod34 is a laterally directed foot 35 throu h which is slidably passed aspark control ca le 36 which has a stop member 37 on its end. Obviouslywhen the knob 33 is drawn outwardly, the cable 36 will be pulled, and

being connected with the distributor, as seen in Figure 9, will move thedistributor mechacontract upon and lock the square rods 34 and 34atherein when the knobs 33 and 33a are rotated so as to screw in thebushings 30a. Of course, rotating the knobs in the opposite directionfrees the rods for free manipulation thereof.

The throttle control knob 33a on throttle control rod 34a has the foot35a connected to the throttle control cable 36a which, as seen in Figure9 is connected to the throttle valve of the carbureter of the engine. Itshould be stated that in case the springs associated with the unitswhich they control are not capable of returning the cables to initialposition, any suitable means, such as springs, may be installed in myimproved starter mechanism for returning the parts and associated cablesto normal or initial position, such changes being necessary toincorporate this arrangement being within the skill of a mechanic.

The numerals 38 and 38a designate bearing tubes for the control cables36 and 36a, and 47, respectively, the tubes 38 being supported by thelateral projections 14 and 15 of the plate 16, and the centrally placedtube 38a by the upper portion of the plate 12. The bearing tubes 38 and38a closely receive the cables, and direct them into suitable flexibleguides 39 which properly and conveniently conduct the cables to theparts of the engine to which they relate.

Rotatably supported in a horizontal position through the mounting plate6, a bracket 40 rising from the horizontal plate 10, and the plate 12 isthe operating-shaft 41. The shaft 41 is also longitudinally andrearwardly slidable, and the rotationand the sliding movement is enabledand controlled by an operating handle 42 arranged on the rear end of theshaft outwardly of the plate 6. By manipulating the handle 42 in amanner to be subsequently described, the entire mechanism may beactuated. Near the forward end of the shaft 41 is a pair ofdiametrically opposite pins 43 for engaging the forward side of theportion 12 at the frame for locking the shaft against withdrawal whenthe handle is in full inward position and has been rotated to theposition in which a latching mechanism provided in the handle, has beenset. The opening 18 in the portion 12 through which the forward end ofthe shaft 41 works is provided with diametrically opposite extensions43a which aperwit the pins 43 to pass the portion 12 when the shaft 41has been rotated out of the locking position. I

At a point rearward of the pins 43, and so mounted on the shaft 41 as topermit rotation of the shaft therein, but not relative sliding movement,is a cable actuating plate 44. The plate 44 is mounted on the shaft 41by means of a ball bearing assembly 45, the inner race of which issecured to the shaft, and the outer race to the cable actuating plate44.

The form of the cable actuating plate 44 is best seen in Figure 4. It isprovided to slide against the lower edges of the side members of theframe and has a projection 46 which provides shoulders for slidablyengaging. the inner faces of the side members of the frame so thatturning movement of the cable actuating plate 44 is prevented. Securedupon the upper edge of the shoulder portion 46 of the cable actuatingplate 44 is a starter actuating cable 47 arranged to pass through thebearing sleeve tube 38a mounted in the upper portion of the plate 12,the tube 38a being disposed in the break 13 in the forward end of theframe 11.

The sides of the cable actuating plate 44 project similarly to the-sides14 and 15 of the plate 16, and through holes in the sides of the plate44 which register with the bores of the tubes 38 in the ends 14 and 15of the plate 16, the cables 36 and 36a freely pass so that they may bemanually operated by manipulating the knobs 33 and 33a, independently ofthe coordinated operation thereof by the plate 44 by means to bedescribed. Adjustable stop members 48 and 48a are arranged on cable 36and cable 36a respectively, to be engaged by the plate 44 where it isrearwardly moved, whereby the cables 36 and 36a are also rearwardlymoved.

Slidably but not rotatably mounted on the shaft 41 between the standard40 and the mounting plate 6, is a tube 49 on the forward end of whichrises the lever 24 hereinbefore mentioned. In one side of the tube orsleeve 49 there is provided a longitudinal slot which extends throughits rear end. Within the slot 50 there is slidably engaged a pin 51projecting from the shaft 41, so as to connect the shaft 41 and thesleeve 49 for rotation when the handle 42 is rotated. For locking theshaft 41 with its pins 43 engaged in the extensions 43a of the opening18 in the plate 16 against withdrawal which would permit the pins 43 tobe disengaged upon rotation of the shaft 41, I provide a lockingmechanism in the shaft 41 which is adapted to be operated by suitablemeans mounted in the handle 42.

Reference to Figure 8 will disclosein detail the nature of the lockingstructure in the shaft 41. It will be seen that a cam-operated member 53has a lug 52 engageable with the slot 50 in the sleeve 49 when unlockedG5 and a lug 54 opposite the lug 52 for engagement with a transverseopening 55 in the sleeve 49 when locked, so that the shaft is lockedwith the sleeve 49 against longitudinal movement relative thereto. Sincethe sleeve 49 is confined against longitudinal movement, the describedarrangement locks the shaft 41 with its pins 43 engaged in theextensions 43 of the opening 18. In this condition, the shaft 41 will belocked against rotation and against longitudinal movement,

so that manipulation of the device of the invention by the handle 42 isrendered impossible.

A lock controlled cam 56, suitably connected to a tumbler mechanism orthe like in the handle 42 is operable by a key or the like 57 for movingthe frame 53 and lugs 52 and 54 into the positions shown in Figure 8 inwhich the locking mechanism is in unlocked position. When the lug 54 ispositioned in the hole 55 in the sleeve 49, the handle 42 is lockedagainst manipulation, since the shaft 41 and the sleeve 49 are lockedagainst the relative longitudinal movement which is necessary to releasethe pins 43 which, until released, prevent rotation of the shaft 41.

Referring again to the lever 24 on the end of the sleeve 49, it will beseen that as the handle 42 is rotated to the left or counterclockwise,the ignition switch lever 24 will be carried into engagement withdielectric portion 23 of the switch arm 20 so as to move it out ofcontact with the stationary contact 26, and that this movement of thelever 24 also actuates a choke actuating cable 58. The lever 24 isoperatively connected to the cable 58 by means of a cable connector 25which slides on the cable between adjustable stop members 59. The cable58 is mounted in a suitable bearing tube 60 mounted transversely in theside member of the frame 11. A suitable flexible tube 61 passed throughthe side of the casing 9 guides the cable 58 to the choke valve of theengine to which it is connected.

Once the key of the locking mechanism has been turned to operate thelocking lug 54 out of the hole 55 in the sleeve 49 the handle 42 is freeto be manipulated so as to rotate and slide the shaft 41. The handle 42may then be pulled out sufficiently to bring the pins 43 out of thekeyhole formation 17 and then rotated slightly to the right orclockwise, so as to move the lever 24 away from the ignition switch arm20 and permit the spring 22a to draw the switch arm 20 into engagementwith the stationary contact 26 for closing the ignition circuit. Thenext manipulation for starting the engine under ordinary circumstancesis to pull out the handle 42 to the limit. This causes the cableactuating plate 44 to strike the stops 48 and 48a of the spark retardingcable 36 and of the throttle opening cable so as to pull these cables36a and the starter actuating cable 47,

lot.

simultaneously, for simultaneously retarding the spark, opening thethrottle of the carbureter, and operating the starter of the engine.

However, should the carbureter mixture be too lean or the motor cold,and choking required, the choke control cable 58 may be operated simplyby turning the handle 42 to the limit to the right or clockwise. Thiswill cause the choke cable 58 to be pulled by the lever 24, foroperating the choke valve of the carbureter to which it is connected.Once the engine has started, the handle 42 is released, and returned tothe position first described, namely, that in which the handle isunlocked and slightly but not fully withdrawn, with the pins 43withdrawn from the keyhole formation 17 In this position of the handle42 the spring 22a maintains the contacts of the ignition switch closed.It is only in the locked'position of the handle that the contacts of theignition switch are separated. To look the ignition, the carbureterthrottle and choke, and the starter switch, it is only necessary to turnthe handle 42 slightly to the left or counter clock-wise, and then pushit all the way in, to enter the pins 43 in the keyhole formation 17, andthen to turn the key 57 In this way every element required for startingan internal combustion engine is protected against unauthorized use,except the manual throttle and manual spark controls 33, 33a Which donot need to be locked to protect the car properly, as they are of no usefor starting the engine unless the ignition can be brought into play. Itwill be observed that the choke cable cannot be manipulated except bymanipulation of the handle 42.

It will be observed that all of the functions now commonly performedeither singly or in groups, for starting an internal combustion engine,and in particular for starting an automobile engine, are performed inone continuous operation by a single agency in the form of the handle42.

It is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit theapplication of this invention to the particular modification set outherein in order to illustrate the principles thereof, and any change orchanges may be made in materials, or in the structure and arrangementand combination of parts,

consistent with the spirit of the invention and the scope of thesubjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A structure of the type described comprising rotatable plunger meansfor actuating the starter, the ignition switch, the throttle and thespark distributor, simultaneously with a single axial movement of themeans, said single operating means being also rotatable to actuate thecarbureter choke, by a movement continuous with the movement entailed inactuating said ignition switch, said starter switch, said throttle, andsaid spark distributor.

2. A structure of the type described comprising rotatable plunger meansfor actuating the starter, the ignition switch, the throttle and thespark distributor, simultaneously with single movement of said means,said means being also rotatable to actuate the carburetor choke, by amovement continuous with the movement entailed in actuating saidignition switch, said starter switch, said throttle, and said sparkdistributor, said means carrying with a lock actuatable by a key or thelike for locking said ignition switch, said starter switch, and saidchoke against unauthorized operation.

3. A structure of the type described comprising rotatable plunger meansfor actuating the starter, the ignition switch, the throttle and thespark distributor, simultaneously with single movement of said means,said means being also rotatable to actuate the carbureter choke, by amovement continuous with the movement entailed in actuating saidignition switch, said starter switch, said throttle, and said sparkdistributor, said means carrying with a lock actuatable by a key or thelike for locking the same against unauthorized operation, andindependent manually operable means for separately operating thethrottle and the spark distributor.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of ignitionswitch throttle control, and choke control for an internal combustionengine simultaneously operable by a single rotatable plunger means, thethrottle control being actuable by axial movement of the plunger meansand the choke control by a rotary movement of the plunger means.

5. In a device of the character described the combination of throttlecontrol and a choke control operable by a single rotatable plungermeans, said throttle control and choke control being actuable by saidmeans either simultaneously, successively or singly.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, chokecontrol, and a dis tributor control, simultaneously operable by a singlerotatable plunger means, said choke control being actuable by a rotarymovementand said distributor control by an axial movement, of saidsingle means.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a chokecontrol and a distributor control, operable by a single rotatableplunger means, arranged to actuate said controls, either successively,simulta neously or singly.

8. In a device of the character described, a choke control and startercontrol, operable by a single rotatable plunger means, said chokecontrol being actuable by a rotary movement of the said means, and saidstarter control being disengageable by an inward axial movement andengageable by an out ward axial movement, of said plunger means.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a handoperated, rotatable plunger means for closing the ignition switch,opening the throttle, and starting the starter, and a choke control,simultaneously operable by said plunger means.

10. The combination with a starter switch and an ignition switch, ofrotatable plunger actuator means therefor, said means being arranged toactuate the ignition switch by a rotary movement, and the starter switchby an axial movement of said means, said single means also beingarranged so as to be capable of actuating said starter switch and saidignition switch simultaneously, successively or singly.

11. The combination with an ignition switch, and a throttle control, ofa single rotatable plunger actuator means therefor, said means beingarranged to actuate said ignition switch by a rotary movement, and saidthrottle by an axial movement of the actuator means, said actuator meansbeing also arranged to operate said ignition switch and throttle controlsimultaneously, successively, or singly.

12. The combination with an ignition switch, and a distributor control,of a single rotatable plunger actuator means, said means being arrangedto actuate said ignition switch by a rotary movement, and saiddistributor control by an axial movement of the actuator, said singleactuator means being also arranged so as to actuate said ignition switchand distributor control either simultaneously, successively, or singly.

13. The combination with a throttle control, distributor control, andstarter switch, of single rotatable plunger means for actuating thesame, together with an ignition switch and choke control actuable bysaid single means, said throttle control, distributor control, andstarter switch being actuable by an axial movement, and said ignitionswitch and choke control by a rotary movement, of said single means.

14. The combination with a throttle control, distributor control, andstarter switch, of single rotatable plunger means for actuating thesame, together with an ignition switch and choke control actuable bysaid single means, said throttle control, distributor control, andstarter switch being actuable by an axial movement, and said ignitionswitch and choke control by a rotary movement, of said single means, andlocking means carried by said single means for locking the same againstunauthorized use.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HAROLD NEWTON WILL.

